Bouvet Island

Background

This uninhabited volcanic island in Antarctica is almost entirely covered by glaciers, making it difficult to approach. Bouvet Island is recognized as the most remote island on Earth because it is furthest from any other point of land (1,639 km from Antarctica). The island was named after the French naval officer who discovered it in 1739, although no country laid claim to it until 1825, when the British flag was raised. A few expeditions visited the island in the late 19th century. In 1929, the UK waived its claim in favor of Norway, which had occupied the island two years previously. In 1971, Norway designated Bouvet Island and the adjacent territorial waters as a nature reserve. Since 1977, Norway has run an automated meteorological station and studied foraging strategies and distribution of fur seals and penguins on the island. In 2006, an earthquake weakened the station's foundation, causing it to be blown out to sea in a winter storm. Norway erected a new research station in 2014 that can hold six people for periods of two to four months.

Area

Climate

antarctic

Terrain

comprised of volcanic materials; the coastline is largely unreachable

Land use

Location

located in the South Atlantic Ocean, to the southwest of Cape of Good Hope (South Africa)

Coastline

29.6 km

Elevation

Map references

Antarctic Region

Land boundaries

Maritime claims

Natural hazards

features sporadic volcanic activity, rockfalls; experiences a severe climate, encased in pack ice during winter months

Geography - note

nearly completely enveloped by glacial ice (93%); designated as a nature reserve by Norway; the distance from Bouvet Island to Norway measures 12,776 km, nearly equivalent to one-third of the Earth's circumference

Natural resources

none

Area - comparative

approximately 0.3 times the area of Washington, D.C.

Geographic coordinates

54 26 S, 3 24 E

Population

Climate

antarctic

Land use

Flag

the national flag of Norway is in use

Country name

Legal system

the regulations of Norway are applicable 

Dependency status

the region of Norway; managed by the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice and the Oslo Police

Internet country code

.bv